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Adults & ADHD

Most adults with ADHD children are being diagnosed retrospectively as their own children are being assessed. Adults that are diagnosed, that do not have children, are usually diagnosed after seeing many different doctors, sometimes for issues of anxiety , depression, and addictions.

It is only recently through education, that Doctors now might look at ADHD when they see an adult with symptoms of working under their potential; perpetually lost, late, and unprepared; experiencing anxiety or depression; substance abuse or addictions; and having a reactive temperament. The problem stems from ADHD having a history of being viewed as a childhood disease; and it was not until studies in Montreal done by Dr. Gabrielle (Gaby) Weiss and Dr. Lily Hechtman showed ADHD continuing into adulthood, that Adult ADHD was contemplated. Current studies show approximately 66% of children continue to be disabled by the disorder in adult life.

ADHD has its challenges, but it also brings many gifts and abilities. School can sometimes be very hard to sustain good grades, and work performance can certainly vary from day to day. Tying up boring loose ends, accomplishing disliked tasks on a deadline, staying organized and not displacing items; are all common challenges. On the other hand, the ADHD person that finds a passion in life can usually accomplish tasks easier than others. The symptoms of hyper-focusing, high energy, nonlinear thinking, and plunging ahead can help them accomplish their goals. They usually have found strategies to deal with their deficits and have educated themselves on what they need. The ADHD person that typically does well has an organization system in place, has hired people to clean up the loose ends, and has found away to empower their potential. Many adults find medication helpful, but understand that acquiring skills for coping is the most important and long lasting solution to overcome their challenges.

All ADHD people have the ability to hyper focus when they find a topic or subject interesting. What they have challenges with is regulating their attention. It remains difficult to switch from activities or in some cases stop working, stepping away from the computer or technology, and engaging in boring but sometimes necessary social activities.